7th Weather Squadron

7th Weather Squadron

7th Weather Squadron Emblem
Active 1941-1945, 1959-1994, 1996-present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Squadron
Role Weather Exploitation
Part of United States Air Force/United States Air Forces Europe/435th Air Ground Operations Wing
Garrison/HQ Lucius D. Clay Kaserne

The 7th Weather Squadron (7WS), based out of Wiesbaden, Germany, is an Army weather support squadron providing weather intelligence to supported warfighters in the United States European Command (USEUCOM), the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), and abroad.

Vision

Technically superior, operationally-focused Airmen, fully integrated into all phases of planning and execution, providing highly accurate, timely and relevant environmental intelligence shaping the success of unified land operations in Europe and Africa.

Mission

Employ motivated, expeditionary-minded Airmen, experts in exploiting environmental effects on US Army operations in the European and African theaters.

Receive, orient, and integrate Airmen, provide seamless command and control, and ensure synchronized weather effects at all echelons.

Deliberately develop and mentor Airmen into future leaders.

Personnel and resources

There are currently 87 members in the 7th Weather Squadron. They consist of AF meteorologists, airfield systems support staff, knowledge operations managers, and personnelists. The squadron is responsible for over $4 million in resources and equipment, including the Kestrel 4000, TMOS (Tactical Meteorologic Observation System), laser rangefinder, and Iridium phones.

Lineage

Activated on 1 January 1941
Redesignated 7th Air Corps Squadron, Weather on 18 November 1941
Redesignated 7th AAF Squadron, Weather in March 1942
Redesignated 7th Weather Squadron in January 1943
Activated on 8 July 1959
Inactivated 1 July 1994[1]
Activated 1 August 1996[2]

Assignments

Stations

Duty Assignments

Headquarters Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden

The 7 WS headquarters is located in Wiesbaden, Germany. It consists of the Commander and support staff as well as 5 sections. These sections include the Operations Superintendent (DOS), Current Operations (DOO), Logistics and Resources (DOL), Contingency Plans and Programs (DOX), and Education and Training (DOT). These sections, along with the Commander and support staff work in tandem to maximize the warfighting capabilities of the detachments assigned to the 7 WS.

Weather Operations Flight – Clay Kaserne

The Weather Operations Flight (WOF), 7th Weather Squadron is located at Clay Kaserne, Germany. Their mission is to provide and/or arrange for decision-scale environmental intelligence for the 1/214th General Support Aviation Battalion, while optimizing flight safety and resource protection for all parent and host organizations. The WOF prides themselves on being combat ready to fight for freedom anywhere the United States Army Europe deploys.

Detachment 2 – Grafenwoehr

Detachment 2, 7th Weather Squadron, is located at Grafenwoehr Army Air Field, Germany. Their mission is to enhance warfighter capability by interpreting meteorological impact upon training and real-world operations with optimized staff weather liaison support to Joint Multinational Command Training Center (JMTC), Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR), 1/214th Aviation Regiment, Charlie Company MEDEVAC, and NATO allies. As a secondary mission support role, Detachment 2 also hosts exercise CADRE FOCUS.

Cadre Focus

"Cadre Focus" is a weeklong course that prepares Army weather support Airmen assigned to EUCOM for operations in support of United States Army Europe and United States Army Africa by enhancing tactical meteorological operational and warrior combat skills expertise with an end state of improved success in mission accomplishment, improved service camaraderie, and individual self-confidence.

Detachment 3 – Vicenza

Detachment 3 is located in Vicenza, Italy. Detachment 3's airmen operate in support of US Army Africa and the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) (173 IBCT(A)). Foremost is the monitoring of Army operations across Africa for weather impacts and seasonal trends (e.g. drought, flooding). In Autumn 2014, the detachment continued its history of innovative weather support by standing up support for Operation UNITED ASSISTANCE in West Africa, where cooperative weather sensing and forecasting efforts between Det 3, the 21st Operational Weather Squadron, and the 101st Airborne Division's weather team were instrumental to the United States' efforts to combat the Ebola virus epidemic.

Detachment 4 – Katterbach

Detachment 4, 7th Weather Squadron, is located on Katterbach Kaserne (Ansbach Army Heliport), Germany. Based in Bavaria, their mission is to support U.S. Army attack aviation, MEDEVAC, and cargo rotary-wing assets of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade with area and location specific forecasts, as well as climatology and long-range forecasts to key headquarters staff.

Operating Location Alpha, Kapaun

Operating Location Alpha (OL-A), 7th Weather Squadron, is located at Kapaun Air Station, Germany. Their mission is to provide all maintenance actions for 76 Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems worth $23 million at 26 installations throughout Europe, directly contributing to the operational effectiveness of 376 combat aircraft. OL-A joined the 7th Weather Squadron team in December 2014. They were previously part of the 1st Communication Maintenance Squadron.

Emblem

BLAZON

On a disc per pale Azure and Vert, a cumulonimbus cloud emitting raindrops all Argent and two lightning flashes to base Or, fimbriated Gold Brown, all surmounted by a rifle and psychrometer in saltire of the fourth, fimbriated and detailed of the fifth, a cord attached to the psychrometer of the first, all within a narrow border Blue.

Attached above the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Blue border and inscribed “E NUBIBUS INFORMATIO” in Blue letters.

Attached below the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Blue border and inscribed “7TH WEATHER SQUADRON” in Blue letters.

SIGNIFICANCE

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The emblem is symbolic of the Squadron and its mission. Against a divided background (one side representing the sky and the other, land) to symbolize the Air Force and the Army, a rising cumulonimbus cloud emitting lightning and rain, indicates the mission of weather. The crossed rifle and psychrometer portray the cooperation of the Army and Air Force and the Squadron’s mission of providing weather service to the United States Army. The Latin motto, “E NUBIBUS INFORMATIO,” translates to “From the Sky, Knowledge” in English.

Awards

Campaign Streamer, Asian Pacific Theater (7 Dec 41 – 6 Dec 43) Battle Credits (authority) Central Pacific (WDGO Dec 46) Philippine Islands (WDGO Dec 46) Western Pacific (WDGO Dec 46)

Campaign Streamer, Kosovo Air Campaign (24 Mar – 10 Jun 99)

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

1 Jan 68 – 31 Dec 69
1 Jul 72 – 30 Jun 74
1 Jul 75 – 30 Jun 77
1 Jul 77 – 30 Jun 79
1 Jul 82 – 30 Jun 84
1 Jul 84 – 30 Jun 86
1 Jul 90 – 30 Sep 91
1 Jul 95 – 30 Jun 97
1 Jul 02 – 30 Jun 04 (with Valor)
1 Jul 04 – 30 Sep 05 (with Valor)
1 Jan 06 – 31 Dec 07
1 Jan 11 – 31 Dec 11

USAF Organizational Excellence Award 1 Jul 00- 30 Jun 2002

References

  1. ↑ Mission, personnel, and equipment transferred to 617th Weather Squadron
  2. ↑ Assumed mission, personnel, and equipment from 617th Weather Squadron
  3. ↑ Operational control was exercised by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
  4. ↑ Operational control was exercised by the Weather Division of the Directorate of Operations
  5. ↑ General Order 22, Hq, Air Weather Service, 1959

External links

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